I’m not into the ‘church thing’ because there are so many hypocrites.” “If they can make it into heaven with the hatred they have for other people, I know that I’ll make it in.” These and many other statements and sentiments are expressed by people who have given up on religion and more specifically Christianity. Why?

As I sit typing this, it is eight below zero with 6 inches of snow outside. I don’t live in Alaska; I live in Indiana. Most people of the northeastern United States would gladly trade our 6 inches of snow for what they have on the ground in a heartbeat. Winter, for the most part, seemed to be a mild one until the calendars turned to February.

I’m not into the ‘church thing’ because there are so many hypocrites.” “If they can make it into heaven with the hatred they have for other people, I know that I’ll make it in.” These and many other statements and sentiments are expressed by people who have given up on religion and more specifically Christianity. Why?

The Rev. William Owens, president and founder of the Coalition of African-American Pastors, called on Supreme Court justices Ruth Ginsburg and Elena Kagan to recuse themselves from a same-sex marriage case to be heard by the Court this session, citing their stated bias.

Joseph’s Storehouse Food Ministry founder Bob Evans and warehouse manager Robert Billings give food to Lynn Bullock, president of Salem Backpack Ministries of Cookeville, for some of the residents in his area without provisions due to the unusually bad weather in February.

"And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

Within two years of graduation, seven out of 10 college students stop attending church; less than 30 percent of 18-29 year olds say their religious beliefs are important; and 20 percent of Americans claim no religious affiliation.